She started off as a video jockey and then came the role of Tanya in Pyar Ke Side Effects. Now Sophie Choudary is busy with her Bollywood assignments, the latest being Speed. The VJ-turned-singer-actor speaks about multi-tasking and her dream film role.

Q: Tell us about the film Speed.
A: It is an action thriller. I play a girl named Monica who works with Aftab. This is the first negative character that I am playing and I have done the stunts myself. I bet you will see a completely new Sophie in this film -- someone whom even I had not discovered earlier.

Q: It took so long for this film to complete...
A: I know it has taken too much time for the completion of this film, but what could be done? Film-making is not easy and it does take time, we must have patience. We are actors and should do our parts sincerely, why should we bother about other things unnecessarily?

Q: Most actors in this film have been given a makeover since the shooting continued for two years. What about you?
A: (Laughs) I'm happy that I did not have to undergo any makeover since I had a small role.

Q: What was the experience like, considering it is an action thriller?
A: It was a great experience. I'm not saying this just because I have to say good things to you about the film, but because I have truly made good friends on the sets, including Vikram Bhatt (director). I'm a big fan of Urmila Matondkar and it is an achievement for me to have worked with her.

Q: You are also there in Ananth Mahadevan's Aggar and Sanjay Gupta's Alibaug?
A: Aggar is a romantic thriller in which I'm paired opposite Tusshar Kapoor. I play a girl from a middle-class family who works in an event management firm. She is an ambitious girl who has achieved a lot in little time.

On the other hand, Alibaug is an emotional drama. I cannot divulge more, if I speak another word, Sanjay Gupta is going to throw me out of Alibaug.

Q: What was the reason for signing Alibaug, was it your character or Sanjay Gupta?
A: I always keep in mind which producer and director I am working with. I'm a fan of Sanjay Gupta's movies. I believe that White Feather Films makes some of the best and most stylish films in this country. Since Sanjay will be directing the film himself, it will be a double bonanza for me.

Q: Was the character of Nisha in Alibaug offered to Mandira Bedi?
A: No, such reports are false. Mandira was offered a different character. The character of Nisha was offered only to me.

Q: Like Speed, Alibaug is also a multi-starrer. How much scope do you find for yourself in such movies?
A: I do not think about all these. At this point of time, I'm a newcomer and thus I'm not spoilt for choice. I'm lucky that I'm getting to play a different character in every film. I want to convince viewers that I'm a good actress, and then I will choose films.

Q: First a VJ, now a singer and an actor, how do you multi-task so well?
A: VJing was a medium to gain entry into films. After I joined Bollywood, I wanted to pay attention towards my singing. I will be launching an album in September and this time it will not be a remix, it will have original songs. When you like to do something you automatically find time for it.

Q: If given a choice would you prefer acting or singing?
A: I love acting because you get to learn so much in the process. Many people think acting is a cakewalk, but believe me, it is tough and I love the challenges.

Q: How do you choose your roles?
A: I never pre-plan before taking up a role. While shooting I try to put in my best into the character and make sure that I enjoy it. That gets me other roles.

Q: Which character of yours has been closest to your heart?
A: Tanya of Pyar Ke Side Effects has been closest to me. Like Tanya, even I am an emotional, yet cultured and career-oriented girl. I'm intelligent, as well as a little funny. That is the reason why I have not found a perfect match yet.

Q: Any role that you are on the lookout for?
A: I would like to play the character of Noor Inayat from Shibani Basu's novel Spy Princess. She was the great grand-daughter of Tipu Sultan.

She fought bravely against the German army during the second World War. It is the story of the struggle of a woman who was ultimately killed by the Germans. It is my dream role.

I have heard that Shyam Benegal is planning to make a film on this subject and if it is true I will go and ask him for this role. If it is not true, then I will try to convince some producer to make a film on this topic. -Rajnee Gupta